Website Absa Bank Tanzania
Absa Bank Tanzania
Job Title: Head of Compliance
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Organization: Absa Bank Tanzania
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
About Absa
Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and a strong position as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with Absa offers an opportunity to be part of an exciting growth journey—to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
At Absa, your career is a journey. Through our Career Development Portal, you’ll access world-class guidance, tools, and support to unlock your potential.
You are Absa. You are possibility.
Job Summary
The Head of Compliance will lead the Country Compliance function, covering Compliance and AML/KYC. The role provides strategic direction, ensures operational excellence, manages regulatory relationships, and supports the business in effectively mitigating Compliance and Financial Crime risks.
Key objectives include implementing a fit-for-purpose compliance framework, maintaining robust policies and procedures, ensuring effective team leadership, and promoting a culture of ethical and compliant business practices.
Main Responsibilities
1. Team Leadership (25%)
- Establish and motivate a high-performing Compliance team.
- Set challenging goals, drive accountability, and ensure effective performance management and succession planning.
- Inspire excellence, foster teamwork, and embed Absa’s values and behaviours across the team.
- Ensure that 75% of the leadership team are high-performing (“A-players”).
- Build leadership capability to sustain a high-performance culture.
2. Compliance & Financial Crime Framework (40%)
- Establish, implement, and maintain a robust compliance framework for managing country-level compliance and AML risks.
- Ensure the framework meets internal and statutory requirements and is consistently embedded across business units.
- Develop strong working relationships with business leaders to ensure alignment and support for compliance initiatives.
3. Policies and Procedures (10%)
- Develop, roll out, and maintain compliance policies and standards consistent with Group and local regulatory requirements.
4. Advisory, Guidance & Reporting (25%)
- Provide timely and practical compliance advice to senior management and business units.
- Establish a robust reputational risk review mechanism before exposure to risk.
- Keep local and regional leadership informed of compliance matters that may pose financial or reputational risks.
- Prepare and submit compliance reports to senior management, the ARO Head of Compliance, and relevant regulatory bodies.
Risk & Controls Objectives
- Manage risk and control effectively through established risk frameworks and promote a positive risk culture.
- Understand compliance-related risks in end-to-end business processes and apply appropriate controls.
- Ensure adherence to Absa’s policies and procedures relevant to your role.
- Proactively report and address risk events, incidents, and control weaknesses.
- Continuously engage with regulatory bodies and complete all mandatory training on time.
Required Competencies & Technical Skills
- Proven leadership skills and ability to build and inspire a high-performing team.
- Strong intellectual and analytical capability with a professional qualification (Accountancy and/or Legal preferred).
- Regulatory experience gained within banking, regulatory, or law enforcement environments.
- Deep understanding of Tanzanian regulatory requirements and supervisory expectations.
- Sound knowledge of global compliance standards—particularly in AML, sanctions, and financial crime prevention.
- Exceptional communication, influence, and relationship management skills to engage at senior levels.
- Balanced appreciation of business objectives with the ability to challenge and ensure adherence to compliance standards.
- Self-driven, adaptable, and able to work independently while keeping leadership fully informed.
- Strong decision-making, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities in complex and changing environments.
Knowledge, Expertise & Experience
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Compliance and Operational Risk, preferably in banking, regulatory, or consultancy roles.
- In-depth understanding of regulatory requirements, international regulatory expectations, and operational risk management.
- Graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Business, Commerce, or Management Studies (required).
- Professional qualification in Accountancy or Law preferred.
Key Skills
- Strong relationship and interpersonal skills
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- Strong negotiation and influence abilities
- Credit and operational risk awareness
- Proven leadership and team development capability
Recommended Training
- Senior risk assessment and management
- Influencing and negotiation
- People management and coaching
- Performance management
Absa Values
At Absa, we live by values that define our culture and drive our performance:
- Trust
- Resourceful
- Stewardship
- Inclusive
- Courage
Education
Bachelor’s Degree and Advanced Diplomas in Business, Commerce, or Management Studies (Required)
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To apply for this job please visit absa.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.